Transcript Highlights:

• When I told the Board of Trustees that I was interested in serving a second four-year term as the Chief
• I think what I'm interested in learning is what was the impetus of the case? How did it start?
• Obviously, the witnesses in support of your confirmation make a big statement.
• stronger internal conflict of interest standards.
• We have implemented stronger conflict of interest reporting requirements.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several items without required appearances, including the appointments of Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California, along with references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard testimony on two State Bar of California appointments requiring appearance: George Cardona, J.D., for Chief Trial Counsel, and Laura Enderton Speed, J.D., for Executive Director. Cardona described his first four years as chief trial counsel, emphasizing reforms after the Girardi matter, including stronger conflict-of-interest and gift rules, tighter trust-account investigations, more data tracking, and efforts to reduce case backlogs and discipline disparities. Senators questioned him about the John Eastman disbarment case, the office’s role and jurisdiction, racial and Latino discipline disparities, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, staffing vacancies, and the use of AI in pleadings and internal work. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. Enderton Speed said she sought the executive director role to help restore public trust, strengthen discipline and admissions, and address the February 2025 bar exam problems. Senators asked about the State Bar’s budget deficit, hiring freeze, long-term fiscal stability, the bar exam audit and litigation, safeguards against conflicts and gifts, and the decision to move the February exam largely remote before returning to in-person administration for July. Public witnesses also supported her confirmation, citing leadership, accessibility, and a focus on core functions. The committee voted 5-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The meeting ended with remarks honoring Senator Jones on his final day on the committee and a cake presentation before adjournment to executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that this is one of those issues that is really interesting when you kind of poll folks in the
• We spend a great deal of time in this body focused on the income side of the income statement.
• This just kind of... ...interest of their student.
• To provide this level of scrutiny in the financial picture? I mean, I think a lot of...
• That's the statement that's out of order. The lady's point of order is well taken.

Summary: The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday. On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition. The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the Banking and Financial crisis, there was a lot of emphasis and attention paid to financial
• , and protection of Minnesotans as the financial stewards of these public funds.
• , and protection of Minnesotans as the financial stewards of these public funds.
• stewards of these public funds financial stewards of these public funds we<00:54:17.720><c> take</c>
• </c><01:10:43.360><c> non-</c> property conflict of interest laws non- property conflict of interest

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are also the same counties that have the least amount of ability to raise the financial resources
• There is a general law statement there at the end of it. You are correctly point that out.
• There is a general law statement there at the end of it. You are correctly point that out.
• I looked at the mortgage statements of a couple of people.
• And when I looked at the mortgage statements, I saw that property of a couple of people.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of shopping, and you kind of down the list.
• of daily living... ...of hands-on care, and you need 30 hours of instrumental activities of daily living
• And then you can read, I'm not going to read the peripheral statements to you, but each member of the
• group made a personal statement, which was attached to the... ...member of the group made a personal
• And an interesting note is in the House Ways and Means budget, there was no mention of tying growth to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with MassHealth LTSS Chief Leslie Darcy to review the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program and the legislative work group focused on its long-term sustainability and cost containment. Darcy and Charlie described the work group’s five meetings and three consensus recommendations: enforce the 66-hour overtime cap, address fraudulent activity in the PCA program, and eliminate MassHealth handling of PCA paperwork/administrative work for members without a live-in exemption because those members are subject to EVV. They explained EVV as an electronic visit verification system replacing paper timesheets, and noted the rollout is expected to be completed this fall. The group estimated about $7 million in savings from the consensus recommendations and agreed to continue meeting through June to consider additional ideas. Darcy presented data showing the PCA program served about 56,000 members in state fiscal year 2024 and has grown from $1.2 billion in FY20 to $1.6 billion in FY24, with projections near $2 billion by 2027. She said much of the growth is driven by wage increases and older adults using more services, and compared PCA costs with other LTSS programs. The discussion also covered overtime spending, the role of federal financial participation, and how Massachusetts’ PCA program differs from other states because it has no hard caps on hours or activities. Several members emphasized the program’s value for independent living and community participation, while also acknowledging the need to control growth without undermining services. Members asked about undocumented immigrants and MassHealth funding, and Darcy explained that some eligibility categories are state-funded only and do not receive federal matching funds. Another member asked about workforce recruitment and wage pressures; Darcy said recent collective bargaining agreements raised PCA wages, with some workers eventually reaching $25 per hour and the entry wage reaching $20. The group also discussed whether IADL hours are disproportionately high compared with ADL needs, and reviewed data suggesting potential savings if IADL hours were limited relative to ADL hours, though no consensus recommendation was made on that point. The meeting ended with approval of the prior minutes by roll call vote, an update that the next health equity informational hearing is scheduled for May 19, and a motion to adjourn carried unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, I go back to the second half of my last statement, right?
• So local property taxes are a statement of local spending decisions.
• c> we</c> premise of the statement that we premise of the statement that we increased<01:15:42.159><c
• </c> And cost of inflation and costs of interest.
• of the interest in on when we got rid of the interest in dividends<02:32:19.680><c> tax,</c><02:32:20.240

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The integrity, a byproduct of that, is Justice of the Peace.
• I sincerely hope that you will support Senate Bill 1574 in the interest of justice so that the best courts
• That revenue side of the $20 million exclusion was not matched up. Is that a fair statement?
• many have cited as helping establish Texas now as the financial capital of America.
• securities or the processing of financial transactions.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• a common interest association of a common interest community<00:12:43.600><c> may</c><00:12:43.920><c
• </c><00:24:37.440><c> parents</c> interests of Vermont and Vermont parents interests of Vermont and Vermont
• Department of Corrections, including the financial management manager, executive director of finance
• c><01:13:05.920><c> of</c> investment interest as of June 1st of investment interest as of June 1st of
• </c><01:47:37.960><c> of</c> are not in the best interest of are not in the best interest of Vermonters

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If any member would like to make any type of opening statement, I'd be happy to recognize you for opening
• We look at audited statements of the districts and add all the numbers up.
• We roll this up, we can see this in their financial statements.
• We're happy to share that analysis with your office. cause of financial costs that are out of control
• We have financial statements. In every, somewhere around. It's like 6,000, 5,000.

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are, um, you have groups of people that band together who are interested in public education
• of the school in the best interest of the school district<00:29:44.320><c> and</c><00:29:44.559><c>
• It's interdisciplinary, so that degree can combine a variety of interests or a very focused interest
• We take all different types of students that have interest in dual credit.
• </c><01:01:05.200><c> have</c><01:01:05.359><c> interest</c> types of students that have interest types

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• an extensive input from the chair of the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Subcommittee of the Real
• of interest.
• All bids means all bids that may have a conflict of interest.
• </c><01:20:03.600><c> interests,</c> bids that have conflicts of interests, bids that have conflicts
• </c> financial strain because of the financial strain because of the requirements<03:34:34.399><c> in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill recognizes a real concern facing independent providers, the fear of personal financial loss,
• The bill recognizes a real concern facing independent providers, the fear of personal financial loss,
• I'm the deputy director of the New Mexico Municipal League, and similar to the concerns of the City of
• In the interest of time, getting this done is important.
• In the interest of time, getting this done is important.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 195, as amended by committee substitute, which would protect the personal assets of individual medical providers from medical malpractice judgments when they carry appropriate insurance or participate in the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address providers’ fear of losing homes and other personal property, while opponents argued it could exempt a class of people from civil justice. Supporters said it was a reasonable compromise that preserved patient access to justice while helping recruit and retain providers. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced it on a do pass vote. The committee then heard HB 295, a revised version of the Accessibility Act, which would create a centralized office for accessibility reporting, technical assistance, and annual reporting on barriers in state buildings and websites. Supporters said the bill would improve coordination, data collection, and compliance with existing ADA requirements; opponents argued it duplicated existing law and would create another government office without enforcement power. Members debated whether the Governor’s Commission on Disability should handle the work instead, but the sponsors said the commission lacked capacity and the Department of Health was a better fit. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced it 8-1. Next, HB 296 proposed doubling the working families tax credit. The sponsor and supporters described it as an anti-poverty measure that would benefit more than 200,000 families and strengthen work incentives, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, administration, and interaction with other tax credits. The bill was quickly advanced on a do pass vote. The committee then heard HB 338, which would extend the gross receipts tax deduction for health care providers through 2031 and add co-insurance payments. Health care advocates supported it, but city and municipal representatives warned it would reduce local revenue unless a full hold harmless was added. After extended discussion, the committee rejected a motion to table and instead advanced the bill 9-0 with no recommendation, with several members saying they would not support it on the floor unless local governments were made whole. Finally, the committee heard HB 259, which would create an optional actuarial review process for proposed health insurance legislation through the Legislative Finance Committee. Supporters said it would give lawmakers better data on premium, utilization, and spending impacts before voting on coverage mandates; opponents and some members raised concerns about cost, staffing, data access, and whether the process would be too limited to be useful. After discussion, the committee advanced the bill on a do pass vote. HB 279 was rolled at the sponsor’s request, and the committee adjourned after reminding members about the evening dinner.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been called the newspaper bill, and it's an effort to try to mitigate some of the financial concerns
• If consumers have concerns or make statements or anything, we can refer them to it, and also so all of
• And yet, despite the power of our brand, the financial model underlying college athletics is unstable
• And yet, despite the power of our brand, the financial model underlying college athletics is unstable
• As fiduciaries, the Idaho State Board of Education cannot put the long-term financial health of our institutions

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:21.839><c> school</c> financial management of our school financial management of our school
• </c><01:24:30.800><c> we</c><01:24:31.440><c> uh</c> of interest to them, then we uh of interest to them
• statement of the board, and I was particularly struck by the opening phrase of the first statement in
• statement of the board, and I was particularly struck by the opening phrase of the first statement in
• Spiebec: The mission statement of the board was particularly striking to me because of the opening phrase

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We sent a draft expanded scope statement and cooperation agreement to the Department of Education for
• Um, those are the windows of time I'm interested in looking at.
• But I don't think any of us want to vote on a final thing until... do the scope statement first, and
• And you'll notice in the scope statement, and it's on page one of the scope statement at the... they're
• <c> at</c><00:40:19.080><c> the</c> Page one of the scope statement, at the bottom right, before where

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the LBA on three audits related to education programs. Christine Young reported that the special education audit is in report-writing, with 44 of 81 observations completed, and that a draft is expected early in the third quarter with a final report later in the summer. She also said the doorway program audit has a draft report with 12 observations, auditee responses were received May 14, an exit conference was held May 18, and the report is now expected to be presented at the June fiscal committee meeting. The bulk of the discussion focused on the education freedom accounts audit and a proposed expansion of scope. Beulah Skids explained that the original audit, required by the 2022 law creating the EFA program, would be expanded to examine whether students were New Hampshire residents at enrollment and throughout participation, and whether records of educational attainment satisfied program requirements. She described the current work, the draft cooperation agreement being developed with the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund, and the department’s concerns about the audit period and the term "educational progress," which the LBA said it would revise. The committee discussed that the expanded work would depend on a written agreement giving the LBA access to needed records, policies, and staff, with the Department of Education potentially serving as an intermediary for data access. Members raised concerns about the scope period and data access. Senator Lang asked that the residency review be limited to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, rather than the broader 2022-25 period, because those years captured the major program expansions; the committee appeared to agree, with clarification that the reference was to school years, not fiscal years. Members also discussed reconciliation of EFA funds, noting that the department has agreed to reopen rulemaking to make reconciliation more frequent so unused funds can be returned to the state sooner. Several members expressed frustration that access to data had been delayed, while LBA staff said the cooperation agreement is intended to prevent further roadblocks and that the AG’s office could review it if needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We turn the rule in to the Division of Financial Management, who then submits it to the legislature,
• We made the initiative with the Division of Financial Management to remove it from the administrative
• , the unified statement of the legislature's Idaho Code...
• In 2025, we adopted a new mission statement to reflect the evolution and focus of Your Health Idaho:
• Moving on to a summary of our financial position at Your... ...moving on to a summary of our financial

Summary: The committee reviewed several Idaho Department of Health and Welfare rule dockets under zero-based rule review. For the Idaho Reportable Disease Rules, department staff said the revisions mainly reduce duplication and shorten the chapter, while adding viral hemorrhagic fevers and lowering the lead-poisoning reporting threshold from 5 to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Members questioned whether stricken language on records access, daycare restrictions, inspection authority, and reporting duties changed policy; staff and the state epidemiologist said the edits were mostly consolidations or removals of language already covered by statute or federal law, and that no substantive reporting requirements were intended to change. Concerns were also raised about limited time to review the large docket, public notice, and trust in the department’s explanations. The committee approved the radiation control rules, which were described as being reduced by about 70 percent, with incorporation by reference removed and a new requirement that out-of-state licensees register within 30 days. It also approved the docket on use and disclosure of department records, which staff said simply removes repeated references to the Idaho Public Records Act, HIPAA, and other governing authorities without changing what records are protected. The reportable disease docket drew the most discussion; after debate over whether the rule changes were merely cosmetic and how statutory changes affect rules, a substitute motion to hold the docket for one week was adopted on a 5-9 roll call vote, with the docket set for reconsideration on February 3. Later in the meeting, the committee received Your Health Idaho’s annual report. Executive Director Pat Kelly said the exchange remained financially self-sustaining, had no state funding, and continued to post record enrollment, with more than 144,000 Idahoans selecting plans during open enrollment 2026. He said most enrollees receive tax credits, but the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits drove affordability concerns, increased disenrollment, and shifted many consumers into lower-cost bronze plans. Members asked about plan changes, enrollment math, assessment fee revenue, and the effect of premium increases versus the loss of enhanced subsidies. Kelly said the exchange’s net premium increases were driven mostly by the subsidy expiration, and the committee adjourned after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 318 by GEA relating to the establishment of grant program to provide financial assistance to qualified
• financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, referred
• HB 394 by Johnson relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements and prosecution of certain
• Certain conflicts of interest referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• Women and Children's Health, HV 476 by BC relating to the maximum permitted rate of interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:24.319><c> you</c> construction of of of new projects you construction of of of new projects
• </c> and resiliency of L the go the goal of and resiliency of L the go the goal of recovery<00:12:49.680
• I'd like to start off by giving a financial snapshot as to where the County of Kauaʻi is, who's paying
• snapshot as to where the cony financial snapshot as to where the cony of<00:23:28.080><c> koi</c><00
• interest rates just went through the roof, and the cost of materials because of disasters, COVID, and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one of the bill does require candidates to file a statement of organization with the relevant
• Section one of the bill does require candidates to file a statement of organization with the relevant
• Section one of the bill does require candidates to file a statement of organization with the relevant
• Now, before you can do any of that, you have to file your statement of organization with the relevant
• Also adds a requirement of statement of organization for political committees, such as PACs.

Committee: Joint Elections

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our former colleagues on her wall had a statement that said, 'Doing the most amount of good for the
• Whether it's IHSS, all of these things, our special needs, our special interest communities, we focus
• And so, but I truly do really appreciate a lot of the analysis, you know, a lot of the statements that
• And so, but I truly do really appreciate a lot of the analysis, you know, a lot of the statements that
• But I truly do really appreciate a lot of the analysis, you know, a lot of the statements that are being

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.